Local and handcrafted holiday shopping guide

Fayetteville has many talented artists and a thriving art scene which is embraced by the community. Fayetteville also has unique local businesses that offer a variety of options for holiday gift-giving this year. Here are just a few ideas to support the local and artistic communities in Fayetteville-

Cheers for Art Festival — Formerly the Artini Arts Festival, Cheers for Art will be back for a second year. Scheduled for Dec. 6 -7 at the Town Center 6-9 p.m. There is no charge to attend and tickets can be purchased to sample the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Browse the works of local and regional artists as you sample creative cocktails by some of the great restaurants in NWA.

Merry Little Christmas on Mt. Sequoyah — Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This is an opportunity to shop an alternative gift market as well as a local artisan fair. You could purchase items that benefit charitable organizations and/or support local and independent artists by purchasing handmade crafts and gifts. Both will help the local community and its much more serene than battling the crowds at big box retailers!

Buy gifts from non-profits — Fayetteville Animal Shelter offers a few different gift ideas: a cookbook, paw painted ornaments, and PAWcasso cat paintings. The Humane Society sells “Tales of Love” books, Omni Center sells fare trade coffees, teas and chocolates and Life Styles offers some beautiful handmade art and gifts created by their clients. These a just a few examples. Check with your favorite charity to see if they sell creative gifts that benefit their cause.
Make something special this holiday

Terra Studios — If you haven’t made the drive out to Terra Studios, you are missing a local treasure! This season they are offering a Santa’s Workshop Series for holiday crafts including clay angels, paper beads, clay bird houses, fairy houses, corn husk angels and ornaments, silk dying, poly-kato ornaments and more! Classes require registration and cost $15-$35.

Ease Art Supplies — Ease offers “Paint your own Pottery” for only $10 per session and ceramic items to paint start at just $3. They also offer “Open Studio” for $10 per session which allows you to create things with clay, paints or drawing. The sessions last 1 hour and there is an additional fee of $3 per piece for firing. Handmade gifts like these will be cherished for years to come.

Dark Star Visuals — It is extremely easy to make a one-of-a-kind jewelry design. You will be supplied with a special tray to lay out the bead design, pick your beads, string them up and one of the employees will help secure the clasps!

Bedford Camera and Video — Grab your camera and hit the town in search of some creative shots or dress up the family for a group photo. Order the prints from Bedford’s then request to have them mounted on foam board (for an extra few dollars) courtesy of the Bedford Sign Shop. Stick a plastic bracket on the back (from Hobby Lobby) and you have a fabulous gift.

Depending on the size you could easily make these for under $10.00 per print.